Roskill - Expanding The World's Knowledge of Metals and Minerals Markets
Table of Contents
- 1. Executive summary
- 2. Geology and Resources
- 3. World production of natural graphite
- 4. Review of producing and processing countries
- 5. Analysis of supply trends and forecasts
- 6. Trade
- 7. Apparent consumption
- 8. End Uses
- 9. Future demand for natural graphite
- 10. Prices
This is an abridged table of contents. Click here for the full table of contents.
Natural Graphite
Recovery in graphite production
China is the principle graphite producer, accounting for 40% of the world's output during recent years and 50% of amorphous production in 2000. India is another leading producer, accounting for 15% of world production over the last decade. The other majors are Brazil (7%), Mexico (6%) and North Korea (6%) Thus, five countries account for 75% of world production.
Given favourable market conditions, production may increase in the future, particularly from Brazil, Canada, China, India and Mexico. New production capacity of 120,000tpa could be added, around half of which could be destined for battery-making. Successful exploration, mine expansions and company acquisitions are expected to result in increased graphite output in the coming decade, provided that markets can be developed to sustain the new production. This new capacity would replace the "loss" of 100Ktpa flake graphite production resulting from project failures and expected mine closures.
- Independent, in-depth research and analysis
- Essential market intelligence for successful business planning
- Detailed survey of production in 33 countries
- Up-to-date profiles of over 55 producing and processing companies, and their activities, including Hunan Chenzhou Lutang Crystallitic Graphite and Carbon Co Ltd; Agrawal Graphite Industries; Minsource Liumao Graphite Co; Nacional de Grafite Ltds. and Crystal Graphite Corporation
- Forecasts for end-use consumption and world supply and demand
Report highlights
Graphite usage in battery manufacture shows significant growth potential in both the USA and Asia. There are hopes that fuel cells, in particular, will brighten the long-term perspective. Demand from this sector currently accounts for just 12-15,000tpa but some industry observers believe that, in the long term, demand for high quality, high carbon graphite in batteries and fuel cells could increase to 100,000tpa or 15% of present world production.
The main use for natural graphite is in refractories - accounting for approximately 45% of consumption - so that future growth will be heavily dependent on the fortunes of the ferrous and non-ferrous, cement and glass industries. This sector has been adversely affected by technological advances, which are progressively cutting refractory consumption per unit of steel produced. The consumption of graphite-based refractories is likely to decline most sharply in older industrialised countries, although this may be offset by increasing demand for refractory producers in countries such as China.
From 1992-2000 world production of natural graphite has averaged 620,000tpa, with a maximum annual variation of about 15%. Preliminary estimates for 2001 put production of graphite at around 675,000t, an 11% increase over 2000.
China dominates world amorphous and flake graphite production with access to substantial resources and low labour costs, and is therefore able to endure periods of depressed demand and low prices with greater resilience than most other producers. It has also maintained a position of trading dominance over many years and is likely to be the focus for further overseas investment in the future.
Buy This Report Now
The Economics of Natural Graphite published 30/07/2002
133 pages, 95 tables and 6 figures.
ISBN 0 86214 873 1
Complete report price:
GBP 1600
EUR 2800
USD 3200
plus postage/packing.